Classic/Antique Car Repair: big block chevy cam??, chevy 396, holly carb

Question
HI I have a chevy 396 cu.in motor that is stock all but a mallory ign,and h.d.coil and a worked on quad. carb also headers. with a 4 speed tranny. i was thinking of putting a new cam in it but i have no idea what to put in it a solid or hyd. cam ? and how big, etc. do you know of any that might help me?.

Answer
i thought i just did this one a day ago.?
well first is it a low h.p. motor if so the pistons will not fit a big cam as thay will slap the tops and break the pistons so boom to that. so i would go with a anti pump up type cam and lifters in a set as it will come with /gaskets / cam/lifters/valve springs/tops/keepers/seals/etc. all for the job.
first get the heads done r&r the springs re-seat the valves also w/new seals also. use the thickest head gaskets you can find so you will get a bit more lift from valve to piston tops. as every thousand will help. now get a cam for that 396 a good cam for that would be a ss454 if thay still make it or a cam with the specs of 328 duration and a 428  lift as a 500 lift is at a 1/2 inch do not go that hi. unless you have hi dome pistons or a bigger cam. for the street this cam size shall do great and with no solids you will not have to be adj. them every saturday. and thay will take a 7000 rpm rev. as it worked on the engine i built and it fit a 750 d.p. holly carb with a lot of balls and for a big block a hell of a lot of revs, as i said 7000. that is super for a 396. daily driven car. fact!. (true) i would use a elect fuel pump also. i had one in the back and one under the hood. also be shure to put in a heavy duty oil pump as you will need the oip pres. at those revs. good luck as you will not believe the power that you are going to get.and you say you have headers allready- LOOK OUT !
as you are going to see a night and day difference no bull.
with a lil h.d.spring work to lift the suspension you might get the wheels off the ground in a hole shot !
bigw45